Sunday, October 03, 2010

As we age so many things in our lives seem to go through a more rapid change. Michio Kushi taught us that we get more yang as we age, life quickens; there is a greater urgency to accomplish our goals. I also experience change as my physical body seems to co-operate less. If I don't stretch or do yoga daily I feel some level of pain. Regardless of how balanced and nutritious my daily food, I will ache if i do not take the proper physical care of my body. Of course, if my food choices are not balanced, I hurt even more.

On a recent Macrobioitc online listserv there is a lively discussion on what creates health. The general consensus is that while food choice is critical, a balance of of physical activity and spiritual practice will create a larger sense of balance. I subscribe to this. I have always been physically active and for many years have practiced macrobiotics. I have also pursued a particular spiritual path on and off for years . In the last few months I have returned to daily spiritual practice and find that I am becoming more open, relaxed. The addition of my spiritual practice has grown the effect of food and activity.

In the last few days I have been tending to a family member with serious health issues. It is most difficult for us to help heal our families when they are unable or unwilling to change long ingrained habits. I am confronted with what I call "magical thinking". That is, one can heal and life can change without doing anything, without making one single change. We have all experienced a major health setback changing a person's world view. And some times it doesn't.Transition is something to be accepted, rather than fought against.

I read a quote recently that all we can take care of is our corner of the world. I cannot take on family, much less the World. I can only c0-create my cornerstones of balance: food, spirit and activity.